Board of Trustees members, Superintendent Greg Plutko, Deputy Superintendent Carolee Ogata, cabinet members, and school site administrators were in attendance to help honor the over one hundred certificated employees in attendance.

 

A certificated employee is any individual employed in a teaching, instructional, supervisory, educational administrative, or educational/scientific capacity in a school district. Through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, certificated employees must have a Credential to hold positions like classroom teacher, counselor, psychologist, speech therapist, and much more.

 

Throughout the banquet, employees were recognized for their many years of dedicated service and choice to retire with the district. A district administrator spoke on behalf of each retiree, taking time to reflect and acknowledge their careers. Superintendent Plutko spoke about a very special retiree -- Dr. D’liese Melendrez, 11-year principal of Edison High School (EHS). Through anecdotal stories about her career, Superintendent Plutko praised Dr. Melendrez for her commendable work as principal of the Edison Chargers. Following each recognition, a Board member presented each retiree with a personalized bell trophy – a longstanding token of gratitude for certificated service to the HBUHSD.

 

To wrap up the night, Dr. Melendrez and her fellow retirees rang their commemorative bells to “ring in retirement” in front of the room filled with loved ones and co-workers. Congratulations to all!